WCQF Round 1 Series: Canucks vs. Sharks

“It’s a big relief (about winning Game 4),”said Todd McLellan. “We had a lot invested in that game physically… we don’t have to get on a plane (for Game 5)… get time to get some rest….it will all work in our favor.”

Patrick Marleau scored at 13:18 of overtime, Joe Pavelski scored twice, and Joe Thornton added three assists as the Sharks completed their first ever 4-0 series sweep with a 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 over the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals in San Jose on Tuesday!

Please note all games will be carried LIVE locally on CSNCA-HD / 98.5-102.1 FM KFOX and the Sharks Radio Network.

Each game day, SJSHARKS.COM will take a look at the “Game inside the Game” as the Sharks continue their quest toward the Stanley Cup! Line matchups, player vs. player battles, head-to-head stats, and key figures highlighted each game day!

Before Round 2, let’s take a closer look at the GAME INSIDE THE GAME for the Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks series!

Time for Rest:

With Round 1 possibly ending as late as May 13, the Sharks will have some time off before they play again in Round 2!

Bumps and Bruises: Martin Havlat left after the first period of play in Game 1 with an undisclosed injury and did not dress in Games 2-4. Adam Burish left midway through Game 4 and did not return. Tommy Wingels was hit hard in OT (drew the penalty) in Game 4. Time to rest up the troops and get ready for Round 2!

The Sharks who had a power play of over 25% on home ice during the regular season, tied a franchise record with three power play goals in Game 3 (3-for-8) and three more power play goals in Game 4 (3-for-7). Logan Couture set a Sharks playoff record with two power play goals in the same period with two power play strikes in the third period In Game 3. The Sharks penalty kill went a perfect 2-for-2 in Game 3 and was 2-for-3 on the kill in Game 4.

Series Breakdown:

Sharks PP 7-24 (29.2%) – 3rd

Sharks PK 8-10 (80.0%) – 10th

Power Play Shots – San Jose outshot Vancouver 45-24 on the power play

Power Play Time: 36:16 – most in NHL

Penalty Kill Time: 15:36

The Sharks were on the power play for 20:40 more than the Canucks in the series!

San Jose averaged 36.5 shots per game – 2nd

San Jose allowed 31.5 shots per game

The Sharks scored 3.75 goals per game – 2nd

The Sharks allowed 2.00 goals against per game – 5th

San Jose won 56.1% of the face-offs – 2nd

Top Sharks:

Goals - Pavelski and Marleau (4)

Game Winners - Couture, Marleau, Boyle, Torres (1)

Assists - Couture and Thornton (5)

Points - Pavelski and Couture (8)

Power Play Goals - Couture and Pavelski (3)

Shots - Pavelski (21 shots)

PIM - Desjardins (6)

Plus/Minus - Thornton (+3)

TOI per game - Boyle (23.00)

Face-Off Wins - Couture (45-21) – 68.18%

Hits - Wingels (20)

Blocked Shots - Hannan (11)

Wins - Niemi (4)

G.A.A. - Niemi (1.86)

Save % - Niemi (.937)

Did you Know?

*4-0 Sweep… The Sharks had never swept a seven game series in the Stanley Cup playoffs until the 4-0 series win over Vancouver. San Jose had have been on the receiving end twice (Chicago in the WCF in 2010 and Detroit in the WSF in 1995). It was the 4th time Vancouver had been swept in a series and the first since Colorado swept them in 2001.

*The Big Pavelski…Joe Pavelski broke a 14 game playoff goalless drought in Game 3 with his first two goals of the series. With two more goals in Game 4, Joe now has five 2 goal games in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

*56 and counting…Patrick Marleau scored his franchise leading 56th playoff goal in Game 4 on Tuesday. Joe Pavelski is 2nd with 24 goals.

“The sweep was important,” said Todd McLellan. “The bumps and bruises add up…. fatigue, travel, and the stress alone. We will have the longest break we have had since the end of the lock out. It’s a chance to get healthy… work on our game… we haven’t practiced much…. and wait to find out our next opponent.”

One last thing…

The last three Stanley Cup winners (Los Angeles, Boston, and Chicago) all defeated the Vancouver Canucks on the way to win the Cup!